Articles 158-162 of the Treaty establishing the European Communities lay down that the Union should promote an overall harmonious development and strengthen economic and social cohesion by reducing development disparities between the regions. For the 2007-2013 period, the instruments to pursue these objectives have their legal basis in a package of five regulations adopted by the Council and the European Parliament in July 2006.
The following regulations were published on the Official Journal of the European Union (Eur-Lex). The link to Eur-Lex gives access to a bibliographical description that provides full text, corrigendum and annexes (if any) and all other useful information like information on the procedure and relationship between documents.
Council Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006 of 11 July 2006 laying down general provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund and the Cohesion Fund and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999
A General Regulation defines common principles, rules and standards for the implementation of the three cohesion instruments, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Cohesion Fund. Based on the principle of shared management between the Union and the Member States and regions, this regulation sets out a renewed programming process, based on Community Strategic Guidelines for Cohesion and their follow-up, as well as common standards for financial management, control and evaluation. The reformed delivery system will provide for a simpler, proportional and more decentralised management of the Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund.
Full text of the regulation on Eur-Lex
Commission Regulation (EC) No 1828/2006 of 8 December 2006 setting out rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006 laying down general provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund and the Cohesion Fund and of Regulation (EC) No 1080/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Regional Development Fund
The European Commission's implementing regulation for the Structural and Cohesion Funds 2 007-2013 represents one set of detailed rules on the management of cohesion policy's financial instruments.
Full text of the regulation on Eur-Lex
Regulation (EC) No 1080/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 July 2006 on the European Regional Development Fund and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1783/1999
The regulation on the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) defines its role and fields of interventions such as the promotion of public and private investments helping to reduce regional disparities across the Union. The ERDF will support programmes addressing regional development, economic change, enhanced competitiveness and territorial cooperation throughout the EU. Funding priorities include research, innovation, environmental protection and risk prevention, while infrastructure investment retains an important role, especially in the least developed regions.
Full text of the regulation on Eur-Lex
Regulation (EC) No 1081/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 July 2006 on the European Social Fund and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1784/1999
The European Social Fund (ESF) will be implemented in line with the European Employment Strategy and it will focus on four key areas: increasing adaptability of workers and enterprises, enhancing access to employment and participation in the labour market, reinforcing social inclusion by combating discrimination and facilitating access to the labour market for disadvantaged people, and promoting partnership for reform in the fields of employment and inclusion.
Full text of the regulation on Eur-Lex
Regulation (EC) No 1082/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 July 2006 on a European grouping of territorial cooperation (EGTC)
The fifth regulation introduces a European Grouping of territorial co-operation (EGTC). T he aim of this new legal instrument is to facilitate cross-border, transnational and/or inter-regional co-operation between regional and local authorities. The latter would be invested with legal personality for the implementation of territorial cooperation programmes based on a convention agreed between the participating national, regional, local or other public authorities.
Full text of the regulation on Eur-Lex
Council Regulation (EC) No 1084/2006 of 11 July 2006 establishing a Cohesion Fund and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1164/94
The Cohesion Fund contributes to interventions in the field of the environment and trans-European transport networks. It applies to Member States with a Gross National Income (GNI) of less than 90% of the Community average which means it covers the new Member States as well as Greece and Portugal. Spain will be eligible to the Cohesion Fund on a transitional basis. In the new period, the Fund will contribute alongside the ERDF to multi-annual investment programmes managed in a decentralised way, rather than being subject to individual project approval by the Commission.
Full text of the regulation on Eur-Lex
Council Regulation (EC) No 1085/2006 of 17 July 2006 establishing an Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA)
